New Delhi, Sep. 17 (IANS): The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has analysed the complete genome sequences of Monkeypox cases from Kerala and Delhi confirmed during July to August 2022.
It has found three sub clusters among A.2 lineage -- first cluster Kerala (n5) and Delhi (n2) aligned with the USA-2022 ON674051.1; while second of Delhi (n3) aligned with USA-2022 ON675438.1 and third cluster consists of the UK, US and Thailand -- in the study conducted by ICMR-NIV Pune.
According to the study, all the retrieved MPXV sequences from India covering 90 to 99 per cent of the genome belong to the A.2 lineage of clade IIb.
During the period of July to August 2022, clinical specimens i.e., oropharyngeal swab (OPS), nasopharyngeal swab (NPS), lesion crust and lesion fluids of 96 suspected Monkeypox cases were referred from 18 states and 3 Union Territories to ICMR-National Institute of Virology, Pune, India for diagnosis of Monkeypox.
Of 114 cases, the MPXV infection was confirmed in 10 cases from India using both Orthopox and Monkeypox specific real time PCR. Out of the confirmed cases, three males and two females from New Delhi had no international travel history; while five males were from Kerala with travel history from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to India.
Canada confirms 1,363 cases
Canada has confirmed 1,363 cases of monkeypox, including 38 hospitalisations, the Public Health Agency of Canada said.
Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health, Kieran Moore said monkeypox risk has diminished dramatically in the province of the largest population, according to local media reports.
The province peaked in total number of active cases in the week of July 15, when nearly 16 to 18 cases a day were being identified through PCR testing, and the number now is down to about one a day, Moore said, adding that most of those new cases were travel-related, Xinhua news agency reported.